obama own the debt crisis he has done so much to create. conservative commentator bill crystal says they're making a dangerous gamble. >> republicans are at risk in my view now of looking like they're defending, keeping the current tax rates for the wealthy. end of the day president obama is selling a simple message, i want to keep taxes low for middle-class americans and republicans look like -- i'm worried are in the position offiof ing -- looking as fe the don't care about middle class. >> joining us is the sage of capitol hill, boat shoe enthusiast and celebrity doppelganger, nbc's luke russert. >> good day. happy monday. >> thank you, luke. it's an exciting time on capitol hill my friend. i want to focus first on the gop. is the party coming together, coalescing around something, anything, relating to the fiscal cliff? >> well, i think they're coalescing around anything it's for speaker boehner to continue the negotiations and not give a single inch. the gop has done very well over the last few years is in the negotiations with preside